Will we make it in time?

[talie95]

We will be going to DL on Sunday! WOoo HOooo! Anyway, the park opens at 8am so that means the parking structure opens at 7:30am. We were planning for my dh to drop off me, my sister, and my 2 dd's on Harbor at 7:10 or so and then we'll just walk to the park to buy our tickets and get in line while my dh parks the car. Will he be able to park, catch the tram and meet us in line before the park opens? I remember on our last trip we were one of the first ones in the parking lot and we didn't park in the actual structure, we were next to the structure right across from the trams and it didn't seem to take too long to get to the park. If he's waiting at the parking lot at 7:15 am do you think he'll be one of the first to get in and get to the park?

 

[talie95]

Oh, another thing.....the last time we went we got there pretty early and the first parking entrance we went to was closed but we drove around to another one (past all the DLR hotels) and they were open. Do some entrances open earlier than others?

 

[DangerMouse]

Sorry, I don't have any advice about the parking, but why don't you save yourself some time and money and purchase your tickets ahead of time on disneyland.com? You can purchase them online and then pick them up at will call window. Or are you planning on just visiting DL?

 

[talie95]

Well, we are only going to DL but we are going to be getting the So Cal AP's. Since this will be a blockout day for the AP we will still be able to use them since from what I understand the AP's are valid on the first day of purchase even if it's a blockout. So I don't want to buy them ahead of time and then have to pay for the $30 blockout ticket....did that make sense? Anyway, thanks for your suggestion, we usually do buy tickets in advance but I just don't think it will work out in this situation.

 

[DisQueen]

You can still buy your AP's ahead of time and use them the first block out day without a problem. We did that in December. Bought So Cal AP's about 2 weeks before Christmas so we could get the $10 giftcard promotion (at that time only) and used them the day after Christmas. The line to process AP's was non-existent - probably because almost no AP people go on the 26th with the HUGE crowds. Be sure to ask at the bank when processing your AP - they will make sure your pass is dated from first date of use rather than date of purchase. Be sure to save your parking receipt so the bank can reimburse you if you purchase the parking option. Have fun!

 

[talie95]

Thanks DisQueen!! I guess I'll head over to the disney store here and buy them since I know they have them there (don't want to risk not getting them in time if I buy online). Once we get into the park do we have to process them at the bank right away or will we be able to do it later on in the day? The park is open till midnight and we'll be leaving around 10pm so we were gonna do it on our way out but do we need to process first in order to do FP and things like that? Thanks again!!

But I suppose I'm still left with the parking matter......we won't have to wait to buy the tickets so we'll probably get a better spot in line but will my dh have enough time to get the car parked and get to the gates before opening? I guess if he's there by 7:15am it shouldn't be too much of a hassle.

 

[monami7]

We will be there Sunday as well! I can't wait.

 

[CalGal]

We will be going to DL on Sunday! WOoo HOooo! Anyway, the park opens at 8am so that means the parking structure opens at 7:30am. We were planning for my dh to drop off me, my sister, and my 2 dd's on Harbor at 7:10 or so and then we'll just walk to the park to buy our tickets and get in line while my dh parks the car. Will he be able to park, catch the tram and meet us in line before the park opens? I remember on our last trip we were one of the first ones in the parking lot and we didn't park in the actual structure, we were next to the structure right across from the trams and it didn't seem to take too long to get to the park. If he's waiting at the parking lot at 7:15 am do you think he'll be one of the first to get in and get to the park?

If your DH gets to the parking structure at 7:15ish, I think he will do fine to get in, get parked, get the first tram, and get to the meet you at the gate well before the opening -- as long as he doesn't dawdle. My experience, like yours, was that the first guests get to park down below near the trams, or at least on the lowest level of the garage.

 

[talie95]

If your DH gets to the parking structure at 7:15ish, I think he will do fine to get in, get parked, get the first tram, and get to the meet you at the gate well before the opening -- as long as he doesn't dawdle. My experience, like yours, was that the first guests get to park down below near the trams, or at least on the lowest level of the garage.

Thanks CalGal.....I'll tell him he better get a move on!! My fear is that he may not know exactly where he's going...the last time we went we were staying at a hotel across the street so we never entered the parking lot and the last time we actually parked there was over 2 years before that. Perhaps since I'll be buying the tickets ahead of time I'll drop them off and do the parking myself.

 

[DisQueen]

You can process your AP anytime during the day. I would suggest not waiting too late in the day. I've noticed the line is longer the later in the day. Maybe hit rides for a couple of hours while lines are short, then visit the bank. You can still do FP before visiting the bank. I doubt you will get your food purchase discount before you have your real AP in hand, though. It saves you 10-15%. I think it's supposed to save 10%, but we often seem to get 15%. Maybe we look extra hungry or something

 

[talie95]

Thanks DisQueen.....I figured we wouldn't get the food discount but maybe after lunch(we're packing our own) we can go process them so we'll have the discount to use at dinner. Thanks again for your help! (My daughter saw me writing this and insisted on clicking on the happy faces so that's why they don't really pertain to anything, lol!)